It will be a new type of training venue for law enforcement officers. Coweta County commissioners March 17 voted unanimously to approve the construction of a “tire shoot house” that will give officers the ability to move freely while firing in an enclosed training facility at the law enforcement shooting range.

“Most gun battles aren’t stationary,” said Newnan Police Sgt. Mark Cooper as he explained the rationale for the live-fire training that would be offered to police officers and sheriff’s deputies.

Newnan Police collected tires from local businesses to use in the construction of the “shoot house.” The walls of the 52-foot by 50-foot building will be formed by a double row of recycled tires filled with recycled asphalt pavement millings. The partitions are to be constructed using 10-inch diameter utility poles embedded approximately 4 feet into an augured 12-inch diameter hole, said Arco Engineering consultant Chris Wigginton. The tires will be placed around the holes and filled with pavement millings. For safety purposes, the two rows of tires will be staggered to prevent any gaps between the tires and the subsequent escape of bullets. The house will have no roof, plumbing or electricity.

The facility will provide for realistic training, said Newnan Police Buster Meadows, noting the advantage of having officers train on issues such as hostage taking in a real-life structure where they can move about as needed.

Prior to the vote, Commissioner Tim Lassetter questioned the potential noise level, referencing previous noise complaints by some area residents when officers are practicing at the firing range.

Cooper said he believed the sound from discharging firearms would be pushed upward due to the thick-walled construction rather than horizontally.

And just prior to the unanimous vote, Commissioner Randolph Collins said he supported the project.

“It means a lot to law enforcement,” he said.